Last updated 10/18/2016
Initial screenings are evaluations of a community's suitability to host the project based on readily available information. They took place at the request of communities that expressed an interest in learning more about Adaptive Phased Management and the site selection process. Screenings occurred in Step 2 of the nine-step site selection process. A community's potential suitability to host the project was evaluated against a list of initial screening criteria. If all the initial screening criteria were not met, the community was excluded from further consideration. Communities that were assessed as having potentially suitable sites to host the project decided whether they were interested in continuing to Step 3: Preliminary Assessments of Suitability.
More about Site Selection
To be considered a host for the project, an area must have potential to have a site that meets robust safety requirements. In Step 3 of the nine-step site selection process, the NWMO and the interested community, and later the First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and surrounding communities, work together to conduct preliminary assessment studies to explore whether these requirements can be met. Studies are conducted in two phases and explore four questions:
Scientific and technical studies are conducted, as well as studies on community well-being. Resources to support communities are available through each phase.
Beyond ensuring safety, we have committed that long-term well-being or quality of life will be fostered in areas participating in the project. Broadened engagement with the community, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and surrounding municipalities will support more detailed reflection and assessment. Activities in this phase help develop a more detailed understanding of project benefits, opportunities to work together, and how potential negative effects of the project can be managed. We will need to develop a better and more detailed understanding of the project’s potential to align with local priorities, objectives and aspirations. Detailed study will continue in this phase to understand specific economic contributions the project would make to area well-being, the social and economic pressures that would occur, and what advance planning is required to address these pressures. The site selection process requires sustained interest in learning and participation from communities over an extended period. Phase 2 involves more intensive community learning and engagement designed to explore whether conditions can be fostered to advance study in the area.
Funding is available to support communities as they advance their learning about the project and engagement is expanded to the broader region.
Last updated 3/13/2019
The surface facilities require a dedicated surface area of about 650 metres by 550 metres for the main buildings and about 100 metres by 170 metres for the ventilation exhaust shaft.
The facility will also need a storage area for the excavated rock. Its location (on-site or off-site) and footprint would be determined in collaboration with the community.
Repository designs have been created for planning purposes, but may be subject to change as the project moves forward. According to these initial conceptual designs, the repository will require an underground area of about two kilometres by three kilometres (about 600 hectares or 1,480 acres).
The actual underground footprint at any particular site would depend on a number of factors, including the characteristics of the rock, the location of underground features in the rock, the final design of the repository, and the total inventory of used fuel to be managed.
More about Project Facilities, Site Selection
We have a community-driven site selection process that is designed to ensure, above all, that any location selected is safe and secure, and has an informed and willing host. Best practice and experience suggest there are a range of approaches a potential host may use to demonstrate its willingness in a compelling manner. These might include documented support expressed through open citizen discussions, a telephone poll, online meetings or surveys, and/or a formal referendum.
New approaches may also emerge over the intervening years as societal expectations and decision-making processes continue to evolve. Communities will be encouraged to identify processes that meet their specific needs and demonstrate clearly to the NWMO whether the project has the support of citizens. As the siting process has evolved, and engagement has broadened to include First Nation, Métis and other communities in the area, the need for partnership to support the implementation of the project is emerging as an important objective. The project will only proceed with the involvement of the interested community, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and surrounding communities working together to implement it.
More about Public Engagement, Site Selection
Adaptive Phased Management is approximately a $22.8-billion (2015 $) national infrastructure project. It will bring about significant economic benefits to the area where it is eventually located, including the community that initiated the area's involvement, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, surrounding municipalities, and the host province.
More about APM, Funding and Economics, Public Engagement, Site Selection
We are committed to ensuring the project is implemented in a way that fosters well-being and fits with the long-term vision for the area among people living there. The project will only proceed with the involvement of the community that expressed interest, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and other surrounding communities. Surrounding communities have the potential to benefit from the location of the project in their area. It is a large infrastructure development that is expected to provide significant employment and income to the host region and province. With a project of this size and nature, there is also potential to contribute to social and economic pressures. For example, temporary workers during construction will need to be accommodated. These pressures will need to be carefully managed and addressed to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the community and area. Potentially affected surrounding communities, and First Nation and Métis communities will be engaged in the process. We will ensure necessary resources are available for their participation.
If an informed and willing host is not identified, then used nuclear fuel will continue to be safely stored at the interim storage facilities located at each nuclear reactor site. We would continue to work with Canadians to decide the best way forward for its safe, long-term management.
Last updated 5/14/2019
We do not have expropriation power.
The site selection is designed to ensure, above all, that the site selected is safe and secure, and has an informed and willing host.
We will continue to demonstrate our values of transparency, accountability and integrity throughout any potential land acquisition process, which will take place through collaborative dialogue with the appropriate parties.
More about Site Selection, Public Engagement, Environment, Safety and Security
No. Communities taking part in the site selection process voluntarily expressed an interest in learning more about the project. As communities continue through the process, we provide resources (information and funding) to support their participation and reimburse expenses associated with the project. Resource programs are designed to ensure communities are able to thoroughly assess the benefits and impacts the project may have on their community. These programs will continue to evolve to ensure communities have the support they need at each step in the process. At various stages in the process, we have also provided funding to retroactively recognize communities' and organizations' contributions to advancing this national infrastructure project.
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